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Saturday, August 3, 2013

Rice Porridge for a Sick Day

For the days you're feeling under the weather, a warm comforting bowl of rice porridge might be what you need. This is probably ideal for afflictions of the digestive system, such as a stomach flu or food poisoning.

Wash the rice in a circular motion in a bowl. Rinse several times until water runs clear.

In the same bowl, season the rice with a generous pinch of salt, and a tablespoon of oil. Mix.

Pour enough water to submerge the rice; let stand for at least 30 minutes. This process seasons the rice and softens it for easier cooking.

Take a pot and fill with 5 cups of water, to start (5:1 ratio of water to rice). Bring to a rolling boil.

Once the water has boiled, put the rice mixture in, and the optional dried seafood.

Bring stove temperature to medium-low to obtain a continuous simmer. Leave the lid off the pot, there is a clear and present danger of the porridge boiling over (and the mess is definitely one you don't want to deal with when you're already sick).

Stir occasionally to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom. Let boil for at least half an hour, or until desired rice porridge consistency. I happen to like mine thicker and creamier. If it's too thick, add more water to thin it out, and bring to a simmer/boil before serving.

At this point, you can serve the rice porridge with condiments, or eat it plain! If you added the dried seafood, it should impart a nice umami flavor to the porridge (sans MSG).

I made a big pot to eat over the course of 2 days while I was recovering from my last ailment, and it helped a lot! Hope you give this a try for yourself or for a loved one that isn't feeling well!